[21] To-night we go against them when some are asleep and some are drunk, and all are unprepared: and when they learn that we are within the walls, sheer astonishment will make them still more helpless than before.

[22] If any of you are troubled by the thought of volleys from the roofs when the army enters the city, I bid you lay these fears aside: if our enemies do climb their roofs we have a god to help us, the god of Fire.

Their porches are easily set aflame, for the doors are made of palm-wood and varnished with bitumen, the very food of fire.

[23] And we shall come with the pine-torch to kindle it, and with pitch and tow to feed it.
They will be forced to flee from their homes or be burnt to death.

[24] Come, take your swords in your hand: God helping me, I will lead you on.
Do you," he said, turning to Gadatas and Gobryas, "show us the streets, you know them; and once we are inside, lead us straight to the palace." [25] "So we will," said Gobryas and his men, "and it would not surprise us to find the palace-gates unbarred, for this night the whole city is given over to revelry.